Fusing Group Identity and Class-Based Politics

In respective post-election “taking stock” articles, Columbia History Professor Mark Lilla for the New York Times and Alex Seitz-Wald at NBC suggest how the Democratic Party can return to prominence. Lilla contends that Trump’s victory should mark the End of Identity Liberalism. Identity liberalism, as practiced by Democrats like Hillary Clinton, consists of appeals to discrete groups identified by race, ethnicity, gender, and sexually orientation. This is a losing strategy, Lilla argues, and must be rejected in favor of one that seeks to attract voters based on shared economic interests and overarching national goals.

Seitz-Wald is less dogmatic. In Democrats: Left in the Lurch, he contends that Democrats must choose between two strategies which he dubs the Ohio Path and the Arizona Path. Similar to Lilla’s prescription, the former consists of communicating to white working class voters an overt populist economic message while “de-prioritiz[ing] policies that are either unimportant or alienating to these voters, like immigration reform, and so-called identity issues.” Following the Arizona Path means more group identity politics based on near-term forecasts that the electorate will consist of an increasing percentage of Democratic voters of color. Seitz-Wald does not state a preference between the two paths.

What neither Lilla nor Seitz-Wald contemplate is an approach that recognizes that the white working class and the great majority of non-white voters share nearly identical economic interests and the differences between the groups will likely be ameliorated in a growing economy in which the bottom 50% reaps the preponderance of income gains.

Indeed, American history since the New Deal demonstrates that the fortunes of the white working class and minorities are joined at the hip. From the 1930s through the late 60s, African-Americans and other poor and working-class Americans saw their economic fortunes relative to the affluent rise substantially. It’s no coincidence that during the last fifteen years of this period, blacks achieved remarkable gains in civil rights.

While fortunes for the lower middle-class stagnated in the 70s, the poorest Americans saw their relative status continue to rise until Ronald Reagan took office. The whites who abandoned the Democratic party in 1980 may well have been motivated in part by resentment at their worsening economic condition under Jimmy Carter. Once in office, Reagan attacked unions, slashed the safety net, and with Democratic assistance, taxes on the wealthy. Since then, both the white lower middle-class African-Americans have seen their share of the nation’s wealth evanesce – a destabilizing trend made far worse by the free trade deals vigorously championed by Presidents from both parties.

Besides economic justice and civil rights for blacks, liberals made remarkable gains in a number of other areas from the mid-50s to the 70s. The environmental movement came to the fore as did the women’s rights and closely-related reproductive rights movements, and the United Farm Workers enjoyed important wins towards the end of this period. Over the past 36 years, however, all of these progressive groups have had been fighting rear-guard actions. The only identity group in America to see a meaningful improvement in its legal, and possibly economic, status since 1980 is gays.

To become the dominant national party again, Democrats must unite behind policies that serve the economic interests of poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans. This means fighting against every trade deal that pits fairly paid domestic workers against overseas laborers making 90% less. It also means fighting for, among other things, 1) higher taxes on the wealthy, 2) unions, 3) universal healthcare, 4) a tight safety net from birth to death, and 5) truly affordable higher education for all who are qualified. Indeed, this is so crucial for the party’s success, that it must adopt as a litmus test for its candidates a demonstrated commitment to redistribution of wealth and income down.

Democratic wins will result in a better quality of life for the great majority of Americans of color and the white working class. Other important progressive priorities will also get attention. For example, when Americans feel economically secure, they are more likely to support initiatives to protect the environment just as they supported civil rights in the mid-1960s.

Assuming the truth of this political paradigm, Democratic primary voters should have rallied behind Bernie Sanders. His long and documented record opposing “free trade” deals, meant he would have had a better chance to attract sufficient numbers of the white working class to beat Trump in the crucial Midwest. Were he elected, he would have fought harder for the working class and they would have fared better than under a Clinton presidency. Ultimately, this would have led to a greater willingness throughout the nation to address important social justice issues.

Still a major schism emerged between white and black Democrats. While whites narrowly preferred the more progressive Bernie Sanders, more than three times as many African-Americans voted for Hillary Clinton as they did for Sanders. This overwhelming support, which accounted for her comfortable margin of victory, puzzled many of us on the left. We believed Sanders’ record and rhetoric demonstrated, not only a greater commitment to the poor and working-class who are disproportionately black, but also to issues like police brutality and incarceration that are of particular importance to black Americans. Clinton, however, succeeded in convincing many African-Americans that Sanders’ focus on economic injustice bespoke an insufficient commitment to racial justice.

In order to regain power, therefore, Democrats must continually stress the commonality of interests between the white working-class and voters of color. They must also recognize that the latter along with women and those whose sexuality falls outside of the heteronormative have struggles that are distinct from those of poor and working-class whites. But they must do so in a way that does not diminish the outsize role that class and wealth at birth play in determining one’s future.

In their respective columns, Lilla and Seitz-Wald neglect to mention another critical priority for Democrats. Nominating candidates whose history is free of financial peccadilloes and any whiff of corruption. In seeking power, Democrats rightly stress the need for a government that is big and powerful enough to rein in integrated multi-national corporations and to protect the less fortunate from capitalism’s sharp edges.

There is a danger for wealthy ostensibly progressive candidates however in making this argument. When criticizing a system that has richly rewarded them, they risk charges of hypocrisy and self-righteousness. Many of Hillary Clinton’s supporters were baffled by the fact that their candidate was dogged by corruption charges and questions about her honesty. They argued that by any reasonable measure Donald Trump’s record in these areas is more egregious. Of course, most voters didn’t like Trump either and he ended up with many fewer votes nationally than Clinton.

But Clinton called for government to play a much greater role in alleviating various societal pathologies exacerbated by corporatism. Accordingly, her close relationship with Wall Street, which enriched her and her family beyond the wildest dreams of most Americans, and her refusal to publish her speeches to Goldman Sachs called into question her commitment to social justice – doubts that her decades-long record in public service failed to dispel.

It is important to note that President Obama has a remarkably scandal-free record and never faced any questions about his personal probity. Likewise, Bill Clinton was perceived as a crude parvenu and a cheater. But the only corruption charge against him was Whitewater which proved to be at the very worst a penny-ante scheme that cost the Clintons money.

Democrats must recognize that voters and the media hold them to a higher standard when it comes to allegations of dishonesty and self-dealing. Those who decry concentrated wealth and power have little credibility when they personally have parlayed political connections into many millions.

In sum, Democrats can return to power only if they run squeaky clean candidates with a documented commitment to economic and social justice. It’s going to be long road.

One Response to Fusing Group Identity and Class-Based Politics

“Democrats must recognize that voters and the media hold them to a higher standard when it comes to allegations of dishonesty and self-dealing. Those who decry concentrated wealth and power have little credibility when they personally have parlayed political connections into many millions.”

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For once, Trump said something that bears a tiny semblance to truth. Specifically, re wildland mismanagement. Aggressive thinning needs to occur. Enviros need to back off, else over the next few decades we are

(Monday, Nov 12. 2018 05:35 AM)

on course to lose much of r woodlands & the wildlife we all want2 protect. Due to accumulated fuel loads resultant from over-aggressive fire suppression combined w/climate change, today’s fires dont just clear underbrush, they burn everything from mature tree crowns down to the soil, which is sterilized & then washes away to silt waterways. DiFi prev worked on a bi-partisan solution, see: http://tinyurl.com/Herger-DiFi-Quincy-Library-Grp

Recent criminal justice bail bond reforms are being distorted by powerful interests towards a new Jim Crow system of private, 4profit, mass e-carceration. In CA Oct 2019, it appears a presumption of e-detention will

(Sunday, Nov 11. 2018 12:37 PM)

replace what was hoped 2b more freq release on 1’s own recognizance. CPU algorithms based on factors highly correlated w/ race/class will determine who remains caged. Those found release elig will likely be forced2 lease from a private corp a $300/mo GPS unit shackled to their ankle & w/permitted movement zones that may make it imposs 2 work, attend school, care4 kids, or visit family. http://tinyurl.com/newest-jim-crow

Judge Brett Kavanaugh lied about the SeaWorld case during his Senate confirmation testimony last week in order to justify his disrespect for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Monday, Sep 24. 2018 04:18 AM)

Kavanaugh can do one good thing for us; let’s hope his nomination hangs on & thus forces the SCOTUS appt after the elections. https://tinyurl.com/kavagaugh-lies
(Self-extracting link above shows full post.)

U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question.

(Friday, Aug 31. 2018 04:45 AM)

Worse, passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers & entered into deportation proceedings. Others are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked after trying to reenter the United States. It’s getting close to time that we can legitimately start comparing the Trump admin to the Nazis. https://tinyurl.com/y9ur35p8

In China, Google has explored launching a new, special search engine that would meet the demands of the country’s strict Internet censors. Meanwhile, in the US, regulators/users increasingly demand Silicon Valley apply a heavier hand in moderating onlin

(Wednesday, Aug 29. 2018 03:19 AM)

2prevent harassment, stop hate speech & ensure civil political discourse. Now down the slippery slope goes Trump right into the totalitarian rabbit hole. T today accused Google of being “RIGGED” against him because the “search results for ‘Trump News’” show mostly “BAD” coverage about him from “Fake News Media.” And Larry Kudlow, National Economic Council director, said the T admin is “taking a look” at whether Google should be regulated. That’s not fake news, it’s scary news. http://tinyurl.com/ybctd59s

Correction: For fossil-fueled plants, CO2 release is reduced <40%, not <50%. System best described as a waste heat concentrator that then drives a turbine & generates electricity. The technique utilizes OFF-THE-SHELF proven tech. Initially, wast

(Sunday, Aug 12. 2018 01:28 PM)

would otherwise be released to the enviro is used 2drive a turbine that pressurizes air. This air is then stored underground @ ambient temps (either in an exhausted gas/oil field or in other common geologic formations). During /peak demand/ electric load periods, this air is piped 2where it is warmed by waste heat from the plant-s current operations. This increases the air-s energy density 2where it is sufficient 2operate a turbine & electric generator. Net result is that what was once considered waste heat pollution that costs money to dispose of can now generate electricity.

what has traditionally been unusable/polluting waste heat as pressurized air. This air later operates efficient modified turbines. 2X plant efficiency poss during peak periods. For fossil-fueled plants, CO2 reduced <50%. Pressurized air can also time-shift electric output from renewables. Dr Bill not alone: http://goo.gl/dCuvqh As for marquee claim, pressurized air can prevent nuke meltdowns by serving as alt coolant during critical 1st 72hrs w/o H2O. http://goo.gl/b1DCV9 While some radiation would be discharged in air, idea better than a meltdown.

T admin now wants to make it harder for legal immigrants to become US Citzns. Under a recent proposal, legal immigrants wouldnt be allowed to obtain citizenship or green cards if they’ve ever used the social programs many working-class ppl use at so

(Wednesday, Aug 8. 2018 04:30 AM)

like the ACA (Obamacare), Children’s Health Insurance, or foodstamps. Proposal won’t require congressional approval. As the Clinton admin did in 1999, T admin would redefine the term /public charge/, a feature of immigration law since 1800s. More than 20M immigrants would thus be prevented from ever voting. Immigration attys r planning2 push back in the courts, but Repubs r packing the courts too, so… https://goo.gl/6mSW1H

Earlier this wk, a Koch brothers-sponsored study shared widely w/corporate media tried2 scare ppl into thinking Medicare-for-all would be too expensive for our country. But what the study did was show that Medicare-for-all would actually save the American

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 11:34 PM)

people $2T over 10yrs. And it would do so while providing hlth care for 30M Americans who dont have it today & eliminating premiums/deductibles/co-pymts to private hlth ins companies. Sounds like a good deal to me. So I want to thank the Koch brothers. I do not think their study had its intended effect. s/Bernie Sanders. http://goo.gl/y9ChnC (In fairness, Bernie forgets2 mention the premiums/deductibles/co-pymts to Medicare/Medigap ins/PrescriptionDrugPlans. Medicare isn’t free 2 most end users but would cost less & improve results.

KSCO did a tribute show today from 10-noon w/guests & callers. According to Dr Eric Wattenburg, Bill’s son, one of Dr Bill’s last deathbed actions was2 successfully obtain a patent 4a method to quench out-of-control nuke reactors. I would

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 02:49 PM)

Dr Bill had. Dr Bill had a knack4 applying practical seat-of-the-pants knowledge he learned growing up on farms & in the woods with complex scientific principles. While I agree it appears there is no way to operate current gen nuke reactors safely, I am confident that over time scientists will find safe ways to contain/utilize this power. I also feel that mankind cannot ignore such a lrg source of electric energy generation – energy that may well be nec to tap in order to counter the wheels of climatic change already placed irreversibly into motion. http://184.105.148.154:8000/live

I’m listening to a tribute show KSCO is doing today from 10-noon with guests & callers. According to Dr Eric Wattenburg, Bill’s son, one of Dr Bill’s last deathbed actions was to successfully obtain a patent for a method to quench o

(Saturday, Aug 4. 2018 02:41 PM)

Dr Bill had. Dr Bill had a knack4 applying practical seat-of-the-pants knowledge he learned growing up on farms & in the woods w/complex scientific principles. While I agree it appears there is no way to operate current gen nuke reactors safely, I am confident that over time scientists will find safe ways to contain/utilize this power. I also feel that mankind cannot ignore such a lrg source of electric energy generation — energy that may well be nec to tap in order to counter the wheels of climatic change already placed irreversibly into motion. http://184.105.148.154:8000/live

Dr Bill Wattenburg, KGO radio talk host & scientist, passed away Thurs at age 82 due to complications of cancer. Dr Bill was a fixture on KGO from 1975-2011. I have missed Dr Bill’s input in recent yrs. I always held high respect for his scientific knowledge & his scientifically-based ideas. However, when it came to politics, his attitudes were sometimes abysmal & towards people that didn’t worship at his feet, he had a nasty mean streak. https://goo.gl/d98JUF

Did Trump Meet With His Counterpart — Or His Handler? A plausible theory of mind-boggling collusion. By Jonathan Chait @ nymag.com. That the GRU & Putin would have in the past behaved badly… well that is no more surprising

(Sunday, Jul 22. 2018 09:56 PM)

than the known past behavior of our own spooks/leaders. But that doesnt mean we cant now get along & work towards mutual betterment. I believe common ground w/RU is as poss as w/China & Europe. In that 1 very specific respect, I think Trump’s thinking is correct. Our biggest prob isnt the Russians, but the fact that our politicians are under the influence of corrupt money from foreign/corporate/mob/oligarchs. We should inoculate ourselves w/better cybersecurity, public campaign financing, & verifiable paper ballots — not by alienating RU. https://goo.gl/FGTHH7

Hope KKSF succedes so as2 better inform SF commuters. However, they have weak signal here & no local/state content except4 NBC news on hr. They also rerun same 4 shows 24/7. PBC says he contacted them but learned they have no

(Saturday, Jul 21. 2018 08:11 PM)

budget4 local talent. KGO however moving back 2roots taking more calls. This forces content from cheesy dribble 2 current & even local. And if Jack Swanson comes back as PD, PBC hopeful he & others might get gigs. R country has lost its way w/greedy corporate raiders that load formerly honorable/viable business w/unmanageable debt. The raiders then micromanage massive cuts trying2 maximize profit, but they r so incompetent that they cant even retain previous profits. Laws need to change.

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For once, Trump said something that bears a tiny semblance to truth. Specifically, re wildland mismanagement. Aggressive thinning needs to occur. Enviros need to back off, else over the next few decades we are

(Monday, Nov 12. 2018 05:35 AM)

on course to lose much of r woodlands & the wildlife we all want2 protect. Due to accumulated fuel loads resultant from over-aggressive fire suppression combined w/climate change, today’s fires dont just clear underbrush, they burn everything from mature tree crowns down to the soil, which is sterilized & then washes away to silt waterways. DiFi prev worked on a bi-partisan solution, see: http://tinyurl.com/Herger-DiFi-Quincy-Library-Grp

Recent criminal justice bail bond reforms are being distorted by powerful interests towards a new Jim Crow system of private, 4profit, mass e-carceration. In CA Oct 2019, it appears a presumption of e-detention will

(Sunday, Nov 11. 2018 12:37 PM)

replace what was hoped 2b more freq release on 1’s own recognizance. CPU algorithms based on factors highly correlated w/ race/class will determine who remains caged. Those found release elig will likely be forced2 lease from a private corp a $300/mo GPS unit shackled to their ankle & w/permitted movement zones that may make it imposs 2 work, attend school, care4 kids, or visit family. http://tinyurl.com/newest-jim-crow

Judge Brett Kavanaugh lied about the SeaWorld case during his Senate confirmation testimony last week in order to justify his disrespect for the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

(Monday, Sep 24. 2018 04:18 AM)

Kavanaugh can do one good thing for us; let’s hope his nomination hangs on & thus forces the SCOTUS appt after the elections. https://tinyurl.com/kavagaugh-lies
(Self-extracting link above shows full post.)

U.S. is denying passports to Americans along the border, throwing their citizenship into question.

(Friday, Aug 31. 2018 04:45 AM)

Worse, passport applicants with official U.S. birth certificates are being jailed in immigration detention centers & entered into deportation proceedings. Others are stuck in Mexico, their passports suddenly revoked after trying to reenter the United States. It’s getting close to time that we can legitimately start comparing the Trump admin to the Nazis. https://tinyurl.com/y9ur35p8